Annual MLK Dinner slated for Jan. 22

STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Tarleton’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to celebrate the life of the late civil rights leader.

The dinner event, slated from 6-8 p.m. at the Barry B. Thompson Student Center’s ballrooms, is free to the Tarleton community. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required online no later than Jan. 21.

“We invite the Tarleton community to help us recognize and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Our annual dinner allows us to celebrate not only his leadership, but also his lasting influence as a model of service, community and education,” said Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. Ervin James, a scholar of history and African American studies, will serve as keynote speaker. He was a research fellow at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University, examining the impact of African American efforts to secure full citizenship and civil rights. James earned his bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University in political science, his master’s degree from Texas Southern University and his doctorate in history from Texas A&M University. He teaches at Paul Quinn College in Dallas.

“We’re excited to have a scholar like Dr. James attending our Dr. King celebration,’ said Helvie-Mason. “He will bring a depth of knowledge about the civil rights movement that allows us to honor the journey and the dedication of Dr. King and other civil rights activists.”

To reserve a seat at the dinner, please visit http://tinyurl.com/DrKingODI. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 254-968-9488.